“SECRET CABLES” MAY BE DISCUSSED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 63, 16 March 1931, Page 1

“SECRET CABLES” MAY BE DISCUSSED.

THEIR PUBLICATION DENOUNCED BY SCULUN

(Received March 16, 10.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 16.

It is reported that the Opposition at Canberra are considering moving the adjournment of the House to-mor-row to discuss the “ secret cables ” between Messrs Scullin, Fenton and Lyons. The contention is that they disclose that, after Mr Scullin had declared against the judicial appointments, his appeal to Cabinet to stand firm and await his return was disregarded, and the business of the country was taken out of the hands of the responsible Ministers and controlled by an outside body. Mr Scullin comments that if the publication was intended to discredit the Government, it had signally failed. The only one discredited was the man responsible for the publication. Anyone who treacherously disclosed confidential communications between Ministers was too contemptible for words. Meantime, the “ Telegraph ” correspondent says the Labour opinion at Canberra is that Mr Scullin may be persuaded to throw on the anti-Labour elements. the task of governing the country. A prominent Scullin supporter, Mr Curtin, declares that the Government is impotent owing to treachery on one side and the absolute financial boycott on the other by the banks. Mr Lyons contemplates a tour of Australia at Easter to deliver addresses dealing with the economic crisis and the recent happenings in Parliament. The cables which passed between Mr Lyons and Mr Fenton in Australia and Mr Scullin, while the latter was in England show that the Prime Minister was indignant at the inflation proposals and the appointment of Dr Evatt and Mr M’Tieman to the High Court Bench. He threatened to resign if the appointments were made. Mr Scullin pointed out that since inflation was suggested people in London were making. efforts to withdraw moneys invested in Australia, fearing losses through depreciated currency.

In a further message dealing with the suggestion by caucus that holders of maturing bonds should hold them for a further period. Mr Scullin said he did not approve of the proposal, which was repudiation, and dishonest. The caucus resolution demoralised Australian stocks on the London market.